Mr. President, I rise today to talk about an issue that is extremely important to the Central Oregon economy. For over 40 years, an agreement has been out of reach in the Crooked River Basin in central Oregon on how to allocate water from the Prineville Reservoir to meet the diversity of needs. Over the last few years, Senator Wyden and I have worked with a broad group of water users in the Basin and have come to a solution. Today, Senator Wyden and I are introducing the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act of 2013 that will provide a comprehensive framework for improving the management of water in the Crooked River, while creating opportunities for economic growth and new jobs in central Oregon. This is especially good news in central Oregon, a region that has been plagued with unemployment since the beginning of the Great Recession and is in need of new jobs. This legislation is built on a broad coalition of stakeholder support. I want to thank those stakeholders who put aside preconceived notions, came to the negotiating table, and worked out a solution that could achieve such a broad range of support.…
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Mr. President, I would ask unanimous consent that privileges of the floor be granted to Nathan Sansone today, my shadow intern. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________
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Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 473 and ask that it be reported by number. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment by number. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Oregon [Mr. Merkley]…





